Today’s Readings: Psalm 20; Genesis 16:1-14; Matthew 26:1-16; Romans 6:20-23; Psalm 126
I’ve noticed over the years that when it comes to an individual’s motivation for leading a spiritual life, most folks fall into one of two camps. The first camp consists of those who want to lead a spiritual life because of the benefits it brings a person in the here and now (i.e. I want to live a spiritual life that will bring me peace, joy, and hope today!). The second camp consists of those who want to lead a spiritual life because of the benefits it will bring a person later (i.e. if I lead a spiritual life I’ll go to heaven; if I don’t lead a spiritual life I’ll go to hell). I’m someone who definitely falls into the first camp. I cultivate a spiritual life because of the way it affects my life each and every day of my life. I say all of this because it might help you understand why I so appreciate Paul’s words to the Romans in today’s passage. In talking of the decision to turn toward a life oriented toward God and not sin, Paul wrote: “But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way!” (The Message). That verse spells out for me perfectly the benefits I find by focusing primarily on the here and now rather than the here-after. So what is your primary motivation for leading a spiritual life? Is your commitment to leading a spiritual life lie rooted in all of your todays, or is that commitment lie rooted in all of your tomorrows? Til next time…
I’ve noticed over the years that when it comes to an individual’s motivation for leading a spiritual life, most folks fall into one of two camps. The first camp consists of those who want to lead a spiritual life because of the benefits it brings a person in the here and now (i.e. I want to live a spiritual life that will bring me peace, joy, and hope today!). The second camp consists of those who want to lead a spiritual life because of the benefits it will bring a person later (i.e. if I lead a spiritual life I’ll go to heaven; if I don’t lead a spiritual life I’ll go to hell). I’m someone who definitely falls into the first camp. I cultivate a spiritual life because of the way it affects my life each and every day of my life. I say all of this because it might help you understand why I so appreciate Paul’s words to the Romans in today’s passage. In talking of the decision to turn toward a life oriented toward God and not sin, Paul wrote: “But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way!” (The Message). That verse spells out for me perfectly the benefits I find by focusing primarily on the here and now rather than the here-after. So what is your primary motivation for leading a spiritual life? Is your commitment to leading a spiritual life lie rooted in all of your todays, or is that commitment lie rooted in all of your tomorrows? Til next time…
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